Chapter 10

Sarah's 21st birthday and a proposal

Jareth was pacing furiously up and down in his study. He seemed nervous and agitated and kept mumbling to himself. Every now and then he stopped as if he had found the answer only to continue on with his pacing, tapping his goblin stick against his leg.

The past couple of weeks had been wonderful. He and Sarah had spent a lot of time together, and they also had made love for the first time. He should be floating on cloud nine, but instead he grew more and more nervous as Sarah's birthday drew near.

She was turning twenty one in only a couple of days, and that was the day she was to become his forever. Only problem was, he hadn't let her in on his plan. He knew she loved him with all her heart, as this was easily noticed, but was she willing to be with him for eternity? What if she was going to reject him, again? He would not be able to bear it a second time.

Deep down this possibility scared and frightened him to the bone, which in turn aggravated him tremendously as he was not supposed to be frightened nor scared. He could not let anyone know about these feelings or the goblins would take advantage of this, which could spell doom for his kingdom.

Sarah knew that he was planning to bring her to his castle on her birthday, and she genuinely seemed excited about it when he had told her, but she did not know that he was planning to offer her the crystal ball with her dreams.

The same one she had rejected five years earlier. Would she accept it this time? Jareth did not like uncertainties. He was a man of clear objectives. It always had been about a straight and narrow path to victory for him, but Sarah truly had turned his world upside down.

Hoggle was the only one who knew what bothered Jareth. Even though Jareth didn't let it on most times, Hoggle was the closest person to him in the entire Underground world. He had helped raise him from a young boy of six years old when he was brought to the Labyrinth by Caleb, the then goblin king. Even though him and Hoggle were not close friends, he was the closest thing to one Jareth had.

Although Sarah had proclaimed to Marjorie she was indifferent to her twenty first birthday, she could not help but to get excited and looking forward to the party.

Things had changed when Jareth had shown up a little over two weeks ago at her new apartment. He had surprised her, as she had not expected him. That same evening they had made love for the first time and Sarah had felt wonderful ever since.

Her whole attitude towards the world seemed to have changed. Her eyes seemed brighter and more vivid than ever before. She had a glow around her, and she was more relaxed and cheerful. Of course Marjorie had caught on to this immediately. Sarah never could hide anything from her.

"Hey, you", Marjorie cornered Sarah in the lady's room at the Blue Rock Café one night when they were having one of their double dates again.

"You and Jareth, anything going on you, maybe, would like to tell me? " She looked at her like a parent would who had caught their underage daughter sneaking out of the house late at night.

"Not sure what you mean?" Sarah acted innocent and pretended to fix her hair in the mirror.

"Uh huh", Marjorie mumbled under her breath.

"Come on girl, you might as well have a huge sign attached to your face with big bold glowing letters that says 'I SLEPT WITH JARETH'."

Sarah looked at her wide eyed. She glanced instinctively into the mirror to check for any glowing signs. Her lips drew together into a pucker but no words came out.

"Well?" Marjorie was not going to let her get away. Not with this. This was too big of news.

"Ok, ok", Sarah finally gave in with a mischievous smile. "Yes, we did it. We made love."

Marjorie started her little tap dancing victory dance again.

"Oh details, details. We must have details." She clapped her hands. Sarah looked at her perturbed and halfway disgusted.

"No, no details. This is a private matter between Jareth and me."

She tried to push Marjorie out of her way, but she didn't budge and gave her a determined look. Sarah sighed and gave her an annoyed look.

"He's an awesome lover." She finally admitted. "I know I have no basis for comparison here, but he is just fantastic. So gentle and thoughtful and sweet", she faded out and got lost in her thoughts.

"Ok, I think we've heard enough. I'm so happy for you hun," Marjorie answered. "Really I am", she added with a smile and a tear in her eye.

"Are you crying on me?" Sarah asked astounded.

"Hell no, I'm allergic to smoke. Let's get back to the guys", she replied, turned around and left Sarah standing where she was.

Hoggle had watched Jareth in complete agony for days now, but hadn't said anything to him. He had not wanted Jareth to know that he was watching him and knew exactly what was going on. Hoggle cared deeply about Jareth, he just never let it show.

"I got to do something about this", he had said to himself one day. Hoggle made his plans to visit Sarah.

Sarah was very surprised and about fell to the floor when Hoggle showed up at her apartment one Sunday evening. Jareth had just left and she was ready for a quiet night.

"Hoggle?" she cried with surprise. "Oh my god, is that really you?" She ran over and hugged him with tears in her eyes and a big smile on her face.

"I have missed you so much. How are you doing? How is everything going in the Labyrinth?" She looked at her old friend with happy tearful eyes.

Hoggle was touched by her outpour of love for him. Something he had never received in the Labyrinth.

"Oh I'm doing fine. You know. Just doing the same old thing", he replied sheepishly.

He really liked Sarah and was beyond happy to see how much she had reciprocated all of Jareth' feelings. It sure made life easier for Hoggle, and everyone else in the Labyrinth Kingdom for that matter.

She didn't know it, but the goblins were placing bets all over the Underground on whether Sarah would accept or decline Jareth' offer. So far nobody had bet against as everyone deeply hoped she would accept. The well-being of the entire kingdom was at stake.

"I need to talk to you", he said with a dire sense of urgency.

"Jareth does not know I'm here and you can never tell him I was, or he'll throw me into the Bog of Eternal Stench for sure." Hoggle shivered at the thought of that.

"Oh he wouldn't", Sarah tried to assure him.

"Oh yes, he would", Hoggle countered. Sarah had Hoggle sit with her on her sofa and he began to tell Sarah what he needed to tell her so urgently.

"Jareth is in a bad state", he started. Sarah gasped and wanted to say something, but Hoggle waved her off.

"Let me tell you all before you say anything. I do not have much time, and I must make it back before Jareth finds out I am gone." He briefly paused.

"You see", he started up again, "Jareth has a dilemma he is trying to solve. I know you are not aware of it, but Jareth cannot exist in your world in human form for longer than a few weeks at most or he loses everything; his kingdom, his powers, and his fae life."

Sarah gasped at the last words and clinched her hand in front of her mouth. Hoggle sighed.

"He has to choose whether to live one lifetime here with you in your world no matter how short it may be, or an eternity with you in the Labyrinth Kingdom.

He cannot have both, no matter how much he wants it. He is afraid you won't agree to leave your world behind to be with him in the Underground World, and he is absolutely torn up about it."

Hoggle paused as to contemplate whether to go on. Sarah didn't dare to interrupt him as he held up his hand for her to remain silent.

"Jareth has planned to give you the special dream crystal ball on your birthday when he takes you to his castle. It's the same crystal he had offered to you five years ago. If you chose to accept this crystal ball, you will become a fae like him, and you will have to live in the Labyrinth Kingdom. You still can visit the above ground world, but your life will be lived in the Underground.

If you reject him, you shall never see him again. You'll be transported back here, but your life with Jareth will be over. He will never contact you again. He will probably put a memory erasing spell on you and your friends, again, but we all know how that worked out last time, and I don't know if he would survive it either. He said he does not want to go on existing without you."

Hoggle took a deep sigh and a tear welled up in his eyes.

"I wasn't supposed to tell you any of it, and if he finds out...oh god don't let him find out, please", Hoggle pleaded with her.

Tears were running down Sarah's face and she wanted to cry out loud. "I...I...had no idea", she stammered sobbing uncontrollably now.

"I knew something was off with him, but he told me it's nothing and not to worry about." She wiped her tears off her face with her hands and grabbed a tissue from the table.

"I can't lose him again Hoggle, I just can't. I don't want him to suffer again. No, just the sheer thought of it tears my heart apart. What are we supposed to do?"

She buried her face into her hands and the tissue. Hoggle looked extremely downtrodden and patted her shoulders.

"This is all your decision Sarah, and yours alone. No one can make it for you. But, at least now you know". Hoggle got up to leave.

"Thank you Hoggle for coming and telling me." Hoggle smiled and nodded before he disappeared.

Sarah did not sleep that night, nor the next. All she thought about was what Hoggle had told her. She realized a life changing decision was about to be made by her. She couldn't even ask Marjorie for advice this time.

She must have read her dad's letter fifty times over trying to find a solution via his words. Follow your heart were his last words to her, but he had also said not to settle for anyone just because you're afraid to might end up alone.

She understood now how Jareth must be feeling. And he never had said anything to her about it. He probably hadn't wanted for her to worry. He always tried to protect her, even if it caused him pain and suffering.

"I know what I must do. It's decided", she finally whispered to herself on the morning of her birthday and shook her head back.

Since Jareth had told Sarah he wanted to take her to his kingdom on her birthday, Sarah made sure to let Marjorie know that any party she had been planning had to be during the day as Jareth was going to take her on a 'special' trip in the evening.

"That's ok girlie. Nobody says we can't party like there's no tomorrow during the day. Plus, the party doesn't have to stop just because you guys leave early."

She winked at Sarah with one eye and kept holding little cocktail dresses up against Sarah to see which one she liked the best.

Marjorie had insisted she would supply Sarah's party dress.

"You leave this one up to me. If I do this right, Jareth will haul you off in less than an hour." Sarah blushed and chuckled.

"Here, try this one on", Marjorie shoved a really cute little green number in Sarah's hands. "Oh, take this one too...and that one...whoop there's another."

Sarah ended up going to the dressing room with nine dresses. Marjorie would critically look at each one, shaking her head, motioning for her to turn in circles so she could inspect her from all angles, and tell her to go change into the next one.

It took three hours before Marjorie approved a really sweet off white sleeveless dress with a low cut back and front. It had a Greek look to it.

"Ah you look like Aphrodite in this one", she exclaimed with a happy shout. "Yep, you'll be gone within the hour", she added victoriously.

Sarah had told Jareth she would meet him at the party since she was going to get ready at Marjorie's house. She was excited and at the same time had a terrible lump in her stomach. She took several deep breaths.

"It's all going to be fine", she told herself as Marjorie furiously worked on Sarah's hair and make-up.

"I am turning you into Aphrodite herself today hun", Marjorie kept saying. Sarah just smiled and stayed silent.

Finally she swung Sarah around on her chair and told her to stand up.

"Oh my god, you look...Godly." Marjorie had tried to find the right word. "I outdid myself today. Great job!" She congratulated herself.

Sarah walked over to the floor mirror and looked at herself. She did look amazing, even Sarah was stunned. Marjorie had not exaggerated.

"Wow" she uttered.

"Wow is right, "Marjorie agreed. "I'm going to get ready now. It won't take me long."

Sarah leaned back into the couch and started to play with her locket. Her thoughts went back to Jareth, the Labyrinth Kingdom, and the things Hoggle had told her. She had a solemn look on her face.

"It's all going to be fine", she told herself again.

"I'm ready," Marjorie declared turning in front of Sarah. She wore that little green cocktail dress she had originally tried on Sarah. It really looked great on her, especially since her hair matched the dress perfectly. When Sarah pointed it out Marjorie replied:" it's all in the planning hun."

Sarah walked anxiously downstairs to greet her guests. She was nervous and looking for Jareth. He was standing by the patio doors in a light blue suit with a white shirt on. He looked incredible.

When he turned and looked at her with this smirk of his and those mesmerizing two colored eyes she wanted to melt. She walked towards him as he put down his drink.

He embraced her gently and caressed her neck, kissing it softly.

"You look so stunning it takes my breath away." Sarah smiled at him and squeezed his hand. "I'm so happy you are here." She whispered into her ear.

"I am too", he replied and kissed her tenderly.

It was a really nice affair that Mark and Marjorie had put on for Sarah. The party started out a bit slow, but by the time it was five in the afternoon people started to loosen up and being silly. Sarah had fun and enjoyed herself.

Jareth would not let her out of his sight. She could tell he was jealous of the looks she received from the other male guests, especially the unattached ones.

"I have to watch over you", he jokingly said when he had to tell one slightly intoxicated guy to get sobered up in the pool. Sarah couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Right at six o'clock Marjorie came out with a huge cake that had twenty one candles on top.

"Make a wish girlie", she said. "Blow those candles out."

Sarah managed with one blow and everyone cheered. She noticed Jareth getting a bit anxious.

"Is it time to go?" She asked. He nodded. "Ok, let me tell Marjorie we're leaving. I'll be right back."

While Sarah was off to find Marjorie, Jareth took a few heavy breaths and a dark cloud started to cover his face with a worried look. He took a few sips from his mixed drink he was having and sighed heavily, as Mark came walking up to Jareth and slapped him on the shoulder.

"Dude your girl looks awesome. Be glad I'm taken or you would have to fight me for her." Mark laughed. "When are you going to ask her?"

"Ask her what"? Jareth inquired with a puzzled look.

"Ask her to marry you dude. Don't let her get away, she's made for you."

Jareth nearly spilled his drink but was saved from answering as Sarah returned and told him she was ready.

"You kids have fun", Mark replied with a wink. He gave Sarah a hug and a peck on her cheek and went back to the party. Jareth gave her a smile and took her arm. They walked off into the trees a little way to be out of sight of everyone.

"So, how is this going to work?" Sarah asked. Jareth took her hands, pulled her in close to him, and told her to close her eyes, and Sarah did.

"Open your eyes, Sarah", Jareth whispered.

She opened them slowly not knowing what to expect. She hadn't felt anything but a slight breeze for a few seconds while they teleported.

She stood inside a huge garden with columns and statues. A big water fountain was centered towards the entrance of the castle with statues portraying half-dressed fae girls pouring water into a pool, while little goblin statues sat at their feet. Trees and bushes lined the walkways, and benches were spread out at intervals.

There were beautiful lush lawns and flowerbeds with a pond and a creek that had a lovely wooden bridge over it. A huge nearly fifty foot tall spruce stood close to the castle entrance. Sarah imagined it all lit up during the winter solstice celebration. Jareth had told her that's what they celebrated in the kingdom, the winter solstice, instead of Christmas.

Sarah looked around in amazement. It was a part of the Labyrinth and castle she had not gotten to see the first time she was here. It felt absolutely enchanting to her.

"It's beautiful", she breathed lifting her head as far back as she could to look up at the towers and spires. "Like a magical dream castle", she added and looked at Jareth with amazement.

"It is a magical dream castle", he replied with a smile.

Jareth had taken on his fae form and was dressed in his blue frock and white frilly blouse she liked so much because it was what he had been wearing in the ballroom. He also wore those incredibly tight pants of his which always flustered Sarah a bit and made her blush.

He gently took her hand and led her down a fresco covered cobblestoned hallway to show her the rest of his castle. She was taken in by the goblins who were running around doing chores like gardening, and sweeping floors. Some were busy painting new plaster stucco on the ceiling and walls.

Sarah was completely astonished by all of it. Jareth led her into his private study and library.

"This is where I spend most of my time", he said sweeping his arm across the room. Sarah looked around and was left speechless at the beauty and grandeur of the room. This is not what she had expected. It completely surpassed all of her imaginations.

"I have made a few changes and improvements to it over the past five years. It didn't always look that...inviting and comforting", he added casually.

The room itself was huge and reached a good thirty feet up in the air with several split levels and beautiful baroque marble staircases. There were rows and rows of solid oak shelves filled with books and beautiful iron wrought spiral staircases leading up to more bookcases. Beautify crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings.

A gorgeous extra-large wooden desk sat in a side room by an arched window which provided a view down into the garden with the fountain. Comfortable upholstered chairs were arranged around the desk and also in a small reading corner by the lower bookshelves.

Every wall had solid wood panels with carvings of hunting scenes, and at least one or two large windows with wide stone ledges flanked by heavy baroque style curtains that could be closed. The entire room was brightly lit and had a wonderful cozy feeling about it.

A huge open fireplace was against one wall, with a comfortable looking couch and sofa nook, surrounded by more bookshelves, a small dining table and chairs.

Beautiful area carpets lined the floors around the resting areas. The rest of the floors were hardwood except in the study and by the entrance which were Greek and Roman style mosaics. A wall clock hung off to one side. Sarah recognized it from her first stay. It had thirteen hours.

"Thirteen hours", she smiled to herself when she looked at it. It had taken only thirteen hours for her to fall in love with Jareth, and five years to realize it.

In the center of the room stood a beautiful antique Grotrian-Steinweg grand piano.

"You play piano? I didn't know that. You never told me." She said with a tone of surprise in her voice as she ran over to it.

"Play something for me, please", she whispered with pleading eyes.

Jareth sat down at the piano and looked at her. "Any requests?" he asked.

"Anything you feel like", she replied.

Jareth looked deep in thoughts for a few moments and then began to play. He played, and sang, "As the world falls down" by David Bowie. Sarah was mesmerized and was about to melt away.

"And he sings too", she muttered. When Jareth was finished Sarah stood there with her mouth open.

"That was the most beautiful thing I have ever heard. You've been holding back on me", she said softly. Jareth stood up, smiling at her.

"I had five years to practice to get my mind off of you", he proclaimed. She looked at him feeling somewhat guilty.

"Your study and library is beautiful. My dad would have loved it."

Her voice sounded sad when she mentioned her dad. It was then she noticed the painting and large crystal ball over by the desk. Sarah walked over to it.

"It's me, in the white dress, in the ballroom", she muttered looking into the crystal ball. Then her eyes moved to the painting. They lingered on it for a long time.

It was her standing in a garden under a tree which had an owl sitting in it. She recognized the dress. She had worn it at her 18th birthday party. Jareth walked up behind her, but he remained silent.

"It's me", she said looking at Jareth. "It's beautiful."

"A painting is only as beautiful as its subject", Jareth whispered and took her hands.

"Let me take you somewhere else", he said softly yet determined. Before she could ask where he was going to take her the scene disappeared as in a fog, and when her vision cleared she was in the ballroom.

Sarah was absolutely stunned. She even wore the white dress. "How did he do that?" she thought to herself.

A beautiful soft tune was playing and Sarah looked around for Jareth. The ballroom was full of dancers, while others had conversations at tables or just stood around. At first she could not find him, when all the sudden he appeared in front of her, in the same manner and fashion he did five years ago.

His eyes were piercing and motionless, not losing their gaze on Sarah. Sarah stared right back with wide eyes. He slowly walked up to her and took her hand and started to dance.

Sarah felt like in a trance. "Just like the first time", she thought. "So this is how it feels when you get courted by the goblin king."

Her heart skipped a beat.

The music never quit, but Jareth stopped and held her tight, continuing to gaze at her. She could see some pain and doubt in his eyes, and she had a good idea what was about to happen. Thanks to Hoggle's secret visit she was ready for it.

Everybody disappeared from the ballroom, vanished like into thin air, and they were alone in the Escher Room, the same room he had offered her the crystal ball five years ago when she had turned him down.

His clothes also had changed into to the ones he wore back then. He now wore very tight fitting grey pants with a light blue puffy sleeved shirt with feathers and tussles hanging from it, and grey gloves to match it all. A very light near see through cape finished the attire.

"Sarah", he said in a low but cracking voice. She could tell he was struggling with himself. She so wanted to help, but she had to let it play out and stood there silently, facing him.

"Sarah", Jareth repeated her name barely audible as he held out a clear crystal ball towards her. His face looked pained and full of doubt, yet hopeful at the same time. He swallowed and heaved a sigh.

"Let me offer you your dreams. Be my queen. I only ask for you to love me and be mine forever. I no longer ask you to fear me or obey me. All I want is your love, forever, and I will be your slave."

It was almost the same words he had said five years ago. Sarah stood there quietly and did not say a word. Her heart pounded in her chest and was racing. She found it hard to breath and she had to control her emotions.

Jareth looked at her motionless, still holding out the crystal ball. His eyes started to water up ever so slightly and the look on his face was near despair.

Sarah walked up close to him and stopped just short of the crystal ball.

"My love for you rules my heart, I shall happily obey your love for me, and the only fear I have, is to lose you again. I shall love you forever, Jareth."

With these words she took the crystal ball from him and looked into it holding it close to her eyes.

She saw various images swirling around in its center, of events from the past, the present, and a possible future. As she continued starring into it, the crystal ball floated up and disintegrated showering her with glowing pieces of dust. She looked at Jareth and their gaze met.

"Will you be my queen, my wife, for eternity?" he very quietly whispered. Sarah smiled at him with soft eyes.

"Yes, I will. I marry you, goblin king."

At first, Jareth stood there motionless with a stoic face not quite comprehending what she had said, and then a faint smile appeared on Jareth' face that turned into a full smile, and then a happy chuckle and a loud laugh.

"Oh my precious Sarah, you said yes", his eyes beamed at her with a glow she had not seen before as a bright light emanated all around him. The weight of the universe had just fallen of his chest and let him breath again.

He put her in his arm and kissed her deeply as Sarah wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tight.